Continuing my look at Just Daniel, the new EP by singer-songwriter Daniel Gallup…
Track two, ‘All is Well,’ is my early favorite from this release. It reminds me a lot of John Mayer’s softer songs, with a rich blend of acoustic instruments and some well-placed electric guitar.
I love the lyrics, too. They trace a path from uncertainty to self-assuredness, and they read like a dizzy debate you have with yourself in your own head.
By the way, if you live in the South Florida area, I recommend catching one of Daniel’s live performances. He plays a lot of gigs at local restaurants, offering up an eclectic range of covers and slipping in his originals as well. His schedule is available here.
For just a minute
I find I feel less lost
When I can find the time to process
A moment when I’m in it
Have you forgot
That wasn’t my intention
So I’ll provide the space
That you can fill with the pace
That it takes you to recall your last sentence
You ask me how I’m feeling
I say I’ve been feeling better
This line a tad revealing
But it’s true and less rehearsed
I ask you how you’re doing
You say you’ve been doing swell
I say I’m glad to hear that
And I mean it you can tell
We laugh and all is well
All is well
Can you hold that thought
For just a minute
I was living in the gilded cage
The constraints of which are made
By foolish pride outshining my self pity
Have you forgot
Oh who am I kidding
You can’t leave the past behind
But you can shift the paradigm
To exist alongside your tarnished memories
You ask me how I’m feeling
I say I’ve been feeling different
More good than bad just peeling back
The layers of my self
I’d ask you how you’re doing
But you’re a phantom of my cell
No stranger to this chamber
Hear the orchestra swell
Exclaiming all is well
All is well
I’ve been finding that the climb is
Just riding silver linings
And confiding in close friends
The view’s no better from the peak
I’ve been searching for some calling
But the reception out here’s weak
Maybe there’s a spot on the way down
Where I’ll find what I seek
Can you hold that thought
You ask me how I’m feeling
I say I’ve never felt better
On my way freewheeling
Round this journey we call life
I’ll ask you how you’re doing
Where you no longer dwell
The shy conductor finally trusting in himself
Composing all is well
He knows that all is well
Meet Me In Montauk 
You are not the only one who names this song as a favorite on the EP, as we’ve heard that from a number of people. It’s fascinating to see what makes one song click more than others.
Just loving hearing and reading at the same time. Love this song and hadn’t really listened carefully to it. Also a shot out to Maddie for her wonderful artistic work on the cover ❤️❤️
Thank you for the shout out xoxo
Love this song, such a beautiful one.
It’s been very fulfilling to hear how this song has resonated with listeners varying in age and musical preferences! This is a song that brings me peace whenever I sing it so it’s heartwarming to know that it’s brought some of that feeling to others. Lucas Kohen, my producer, is a huge John Mayer fan and whenever he has the ability to emulate parts of his sound in our production he will leap at the opportunity 🙂
I will say one of the joys of bringing songs you write on an acoustic guitar into a full band arrangement is being able to gravitate towards new pieces of the song you create. For example, that guitar lead playing against the acoustic in the opening is one of my favorite parts of the song and it’s one I never would have come to on my own! One of the many benefits of collaboration bringing a song that you’ve fully fleshed out chords, lyrics, and melody wise onto a set of new ears.
Your interpretation is astute as always and I’m glad you enjoyed this song so much!
It’s the penultimate verse for me. I get choked up every single time…